News

The Garden Club of Concord is soliciting proposals from residents and local organizations seeking funding for garden-related community projects.

It will be farmers helping farmers Saturday, as more than 20 representatives from the New England farming community will come together at The Old Manse for a farmer’s market benefit for Verrill Farm.

Farmers will roll in from western and southeastern Massachusetts and even New Hampshire, bringing with them bread, goat cheese, pumpkins, potatoes, carrots and cabbages. All proceeds will go toward the crew and staff at Verrill Farm, whose main farm stand was recently destroyed by fire.

The recent fire on Wheeler Road that destroyed the main building at Verill Farm also shed light on some very real issues facing Concord firefighters.

Verrill Farm is in an area of town not fully served by town water and the nearest hydrants were about 1,700 feet and 1,900 away. It required multiple trucks to connect to each hydrant, as a typical fire truck carries 1,200 feet of hose — two trucks are needed to effectively pull water more than 1,500 feet.

Given the circumstances, said Concord Fire Chief Ken Willette, the Concord Fire Department did an excellent job.

ConcordCAN, Concord-Carlisle Adult and Community Education (CCACE), and MA Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary will join forces in providing a variety of community education opportunities in and around Concord this fall. ConcordCAN’s programs are designed to help Concord citizens understand how to lead more sustainable lifestyles by reducing carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources and energy, while protecting and celebrating the environment.

The Community Conservation Challenge is under way, with participants in four local groups trying to reduce water use this summer to raise money for worthy causes.

Knowing that Concord needs to worry about its agricultural future, housing advocates have set a goal of making sure today’s farmers can live on or near their land.

Preserving the community through affordable housing is a concern Concord Housing Foundation President Terry Rothermel believes should be shared by conservation advocates as well. 

Informing Today's Choices, Shaping Tomorrow's World